Ep 8. Break Out the Bourbon

In Cook's Country season 8 episode 8, titled "Break Out the Bourbon," the cast explores different recipes that use the iconic American whiskey, bourbon.

The episode begins with host Bridget Lancaster visiting the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Kentucky to learn about the history and production process of bourbon. She walks through the rickhouses where barrels of bourbon are stored and aged for years, picking up flavors and colors from the charred oak barrels.

Back in the kitchen, co-host Julia Collin Davison starts off with a bourbon-glazed pork tenderloin recipe. She sears the tenderloin on the stovetop before finishing it off in the oven. Meanwhile, she prepares a glaze made with honey, Dijon mustard, and of course, bourbon. After roasting the tenderloin, she brushes the glaze on top before letting it rest.

Next up is a bourbon pecan pie by Ashley Moore, one of the show's test cooks. She starts with a classic pecan pie filling, adding pecans, butter, and brown sugar to a flaky pie crust. But instead of using corn syrup, she substitutes it with a mixture of brown sugar, butter, and bourbon, giving the pie a rich and deep flavor.

Bridget joins her fellow co-hosts Chris Kimball and Erin McMurrer to taste and rate different brands of bourbon, which they then use in their own recipe creations. Chris comes up with a bourbon barbecue sauce that he pairs with smoked chicken wings. The sauce includes ingredients such as chipotle peppers, molasses, and, of course, bourbon. He smokes the wings in a charcoal grill before tossing them in the sauce.

Last but not least, Erin makes a bourbon chocolate layer cake. She uses bourbon in both the cake batter and the chocolate ganache frosting, adding complexity and depth to the flavors. She layers the cake with the frosted ganache, finishing it off with a sprinkle of cocoa powder.

Throughout the episode, the cast also shares tips and tricks for using bourbon in cooking, including the importance of choosing the right brand and how to properly measure it. They also touch on the history behind bourbon, including its origins in Kentucky, and how it has become an iconic American spirit.

In "Break Out the Bourbon," the cast of Cook's Country showcases the versatility of bourbon in cooking, from savory dishes such as pork tenderloin and chicken wings to sweet treats such as pecan pie and chocolate cake. The episode highlights the importance of quality ingredients and showcases the unique flavors that bourbon can bring to a dish.